Genealogy Chat

How do we find out about regiments based at Hilsea Barracks in 1861. We are trying to trace Joseph Newbold (my husbands gr.grandfather born about 1838) who was listed as a soldier there in the 1861 census.

1861 Joseph Newbold abt 1839 Loughborough, Leicestershire, England Wymering Hampshire 1851 Joseph Newbold Sarah abt 1838 Loughborough, Leicestershire, England Son Loughborough Leicestershire 1841 Joseph Newbold abt 1838 Leicestershire, England Loughborough Leicestershire birth Joseph Newbold 1838 Jan-Feb-Mar Loughborough Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire

Google for Portsmouth Records Office. They are very helpful.

Thank you Julie, will try Portsmouth records office. Thank you also Jim. We knew he was born in Loughborough and had him on the census until 1851 with his family. He reappeared with a family on the 1881 census. We were just trying to trace his army record 1861/1871 as he met and married during this time (Mary Ann Scrase born Brighton.) We would like to know what regiments were at Hilsea barracks 1861.

If you have him on the 1861 census, go to page one of that section and there's a good chance it will have the name of the regiment. If not, it will start with the names of the most senior officers which may help you to identify the regiment by reference to a website like Regiments.org

Thank's Paul, will certainly give that a try. Really frustrating isn't it when you are so close, but so far away!

Suzanne, I've just done what I suggested. Although the regiment is not named, the commanding officer is Lt Col K O S Turner commanding 10th battallion 4 (something), so if you find the regiment stationed at the barracks in 1861 you will be able to use this as confirmation.

Paul, thats brilliant. Thank you so much. Will follow that up.

You could also look for Lt Col Turner on the Army List for the appropriate year (may be at a large ref library), which will tell you which regiment he was in.

I googled this: ...and the village of Hilsea, where are the Royal Artillery barracks built in 1854, and strong lines of fortifications which have recently been greatly strengthened....

Snap ... :-) Hillsea, hamlet, Wymering par., S. Hants, 3 miles NE. of Portsmouth; P.O., called Hilsea; has extensive barracks and fortifications. (John Bartholomew, Gazetteer of the British Isles (1887)) http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/gaztext_page.jsp?u_id=10161721&u_name=Wymering

If you explore this site http://www.knightroots(.)co.uk/ you could contact Tony and Linda Knight to see if they have any information; they are very knowledgeable about the area.

Thanks Joy, Ann and Paul again. Have just come in from work (yes I know its Bank Holiday Monday!) I am really getting some useful feedback off you - many, many thanks. Will try to follow this up today when I've had a glass of wine to recover!